TAMPA – Who better to talk to about George Steinbrenner firing shots at a Yankee superstar than Reggie Jackson?

With The Boss and Derek Jeter locked in a controversy over Steinbrenner questioning the shortstop’s lifestyle, Jackson surfaced at the Yankees’ minor league complex yesterday and talked at length with Jeter.

“I think I have an understanding of where George is coming from,” said Jackson, who often feuded with Steinbrenner as a player but now is a special Yankee adviser.

“Part of what George is doing is George’s style of motivation. He takes the belt off. He wants you to play better and if you don’t, you will get some of [the belt].”

Jackson has known Jeter for a dozen years and understands you never see a loud Jeter staggering up 2nd Avenue at 5 a.m. with a bevy of drunken woman.

“We know [Jeter] is not a carouser, we know he is a gentleman, but you respect The Boss’ opinion because he is The Boss,” Jackson said. “It’s part of the territory. We all know that. [Steinbrenner] doesn’t pick a fight with the lightweight. He picked a fight with the heavyweight.”

Jackson can understand Jeter being mad at Steinbrenner because of the nature of the attack.

“Derek is hot and the reason he is hot makes sense,” Jackson said. “His character was attacked. This is a very conscientious guy and basically the un-named captain. He is the voice of the club and it’s his team.

“If you want to target someone for the team not having a good season last year, he is the guy. He is not an off-the-field party guy. If he were, the media would have been on to it long ago rather than waiting eight or nine years. The Boss is paying big iron and he wants big-time input into the ballclub.”